Verbena plant named ‘DANVER51’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Verbena  cultivar named ‘DANVER51’ is disclosed, characterized by having clear red flowers, an upright plant habit, highly vigorous growth, and a showing a good tolerance to high temperatures above 35°. The new variety is a  Verbena,  normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Verbena hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘DANVER51’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Verbena cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva,Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce newvarieties of Verbena for commercial introduction. The seed parent is theunpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Verbena hybrida‘VE-Z-51.’ The pollen parent is unknown as the new variety is the resultof an open pollination in which the male parent cannot be identified.The new variety was discovered in June 2006 by the inventor in a groupof seedlings resulting from that crossing, in a commercial greenhouse inMoshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar‘DANVER51’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed at a commercialgreenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in October 2006. Subsequentpropagation has shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DANVER51’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘DANVER51.’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘DANVER51’ as a new and distinct Verbenacultivar:

-   -   1. Highly vigorous growth habit.    -   2. Upright plant habit.    -   3. High temperature tolerance.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANVER51’ are similar to plants of theparent, Verbena hybrida ‘VE-Z-51’ in most horticultural characteristics,however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DANVER51’ are more vigorous thanplants of the seed parent. Additionally, plants of ‘DANVER51’ have anupright growth habit whereas plants of the seed parent have a trailinggrowth habit.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANVER51’ are best compared to thecommercial variety ‘LANAI RED’ U.S. patent pending, serial numberunknown. Plants of ‘DANVER51’ are similar to plants of ‘LANAI RED’ inmost horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new varietyproduce more incised, narrower foliage, and have a less trailing growthhabit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘DANVER51’ grown in a greenhouse, in a 16 cm pot. Ageof the plant photographed is approximately 10 to 12 weeks days from arooted cutting, with 3 rooted cuttings planted in the pot.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of a typical bloom of‘DANVER51’.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘DANVER51’ plants grown in a greenhouse inMoshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The growing temperature ranged from 20°C. to 28° C. The greenhouse is un-shaded, giving bright, normal sunlightconditions. Measurements and numerical values represent averages oftypical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Verbena hybrida cultivar ‘DANVER51.’

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 6 days at approximately 18-30° C.-   Time to develop roots: About 14 days at approximately 18-30° C.-   Root description: Fine, densely fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Spreading.-   Pot size of plant described: 12 cm.-   Height: Approximately 15 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 40 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Branching characteristics: Highly branched.-   Length of lateral branches: Approximately 30 to 40 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.2 cm.-   Color of branches: Near RHS Green 143A.-   Texture: Pubescent.-   Internode length: Approximately 2-3 cm.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 60 days from a rooted cutting.

FOLIAGE

-   Arrangement: Opposite.-   Leaves per Branch: Approximately 8-10.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Length: About 2.5 cm. Width: About 2 cm. Shape of            leaf: Rhomboidal. Shape of apex: Acute. Shape of base:            Acute. Texture: Strigose. Aspect: 45° to stem. Margin type:            Incised margin.        -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: RHS Green 137A. Lower            surface: RHS Green 137C. Mature leaves: Upper surface: RHS            Green 137A. Lower surface: RHS Green 137C.-   Petiole: Not Present.-   Veins:    -   -   Venation pattern.—Palmate.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS Yellow-Green 149A. Lower surface:            RHS Yellow-Green 150A.

FLOWER

-   Bud: Described 5 days before anthesis.    -   -   Shape.—Quinquangular.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.8 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 141C.-   Natural flowering season: Summer in Israel.-   Flower type: Zygomorphic, salverform.-   Corolla:    -   -   Petals/lobes.—Number: 5. Length: 7 mm. Width: 6 mm. Shape:            Oval. Aspect: Upright. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth.            Color: When opening: Upper surface: Red group 46 B. Lower            surface: Red group 53 D. Fully opened: Upper surface: Red            groups 145 B. Lower surface: Red group 50B.        -   Throat.—Color: Yellow group 2D. Texture: Slightly pubescent.        -   Tube color.—Green-Yellow group 1C.-   Calyx:    -   -   Form.—Not fused.        -   Length.—1 cm.        -   Diameter.—2 mm.        -   Sepal shape.—Strap-shaped (ligulate).        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepal texture.—Puberulous.        -   Sepal color.—Upper surface: yellow-green 144 B. Lower            surface: yellow-green 144 B.-   Fragrance: None.-   Lasting quality: Individual flower longevity is about 10 days.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number (per flower).—4.        -   Filament length.—About 0.2 cm.        -   Anthers.—Shape: Oval. Length: About 0.1 cm. Color: RHS            Yellow-Green 1B.-   Pollen:    -   -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green 1C.        -   Amount.—Abundant.-   Pistils:    -   -   Quantity per flower.—1.        -   Length.—About 1 cm.        -   Styles.—Length: About 0.9 cm. Color: Yellow-Green 1D.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Ovoid. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 149C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Slightly better tolerance of powdery mildew than    most commercial varieties.-   Temperature tolerance: Good tolerance to low temperature of above    35° C.-   Seed and fruit production: Produces small amounts of seed.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘DANVER51’ asherein illustrated and described.